Created: 9/2/2009 6:54:11 AM 
CRESCENT BEACH, FL -- A two-story oceanfront vacation home was destroyed by an early morning fire.
Home video from a neighbor shows the magnitude of the flames as firefighters arrived just after 4 o'clock Wednesday morning. The 27-year-old home was engulfed in flames.
Neighbor Woody Rodgers told First Coast News about the history of Seascape Circle.
"It was one of the earlier ones built when this compound was put together and it's had several owners and I believe, if I remember correctly, it has been up for sale," said Rodgers.
In the middle of a fierce lightning storm, Rodgers and other neighbors were awakened by a loud popping noise.
"And it was similar to the sound of a transformer when it gets hit," said Rodgers, who was unaware of the fire and all the fire trucks until he walked out at first light to get the morning paper.
"It's a total surprise! I had no idea that all this was going on! None whatsoever! And it's an eye opener!"
At first light, the devastation was clear. What WAS a family's 3,300 square foot oceanfront vacation home was now smoldering debris.
The State Fire Marshall was soon on the scene joining local firefighters looking for the cause.
"The house is going to be listed as a total loss. Initial estimations of the value: somewhere in the area of $800 to $900,000," said St. Johns County Fire Rescue spokesman Jeremy Robshaw.
The home next door was also heavily damaged by the intense heat and smoke, but firefighters were able to prevent the flames from spreading there.
Woody Rodgers, like other neighbors, stood stunned at the devastation left atop the sand dune.
"Again, I'm just lost for words! It's a total surprise! I had no idea!"
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